Table selection or starting tables

So there is always discussion about table selection and it's importance to ones winrate. You have to find a table preferrably with several fish at it. You need to be able to seat yourself idealy at said table with the fish and the regs in the correct spot so as to make the table ideal for you. How does one go about this?

Well you can go to the lobby and sort tables then take a spot on the waiting list. Then you wait patiently for the little window to pop up tellng you your seat is waiting for you. Now you have a problem. Couple most likely. You see you've been waiting for an ungodly amount of time for this seat to become available so you could have your chance to rape the fish. Well now you're really not sure if that fish is still there and what are the odds that the person who had the ideal seat next to the fish got tired of taking all the fishes money and stepped away from the seat. Not very good are they.

Well an alternative is to start your own table. Again you go in to the lobby scroll all the way down past all those fishy tables and take a seat at an empty table. Pick your seat it's easy they are all empty. Then you wait. Now you are obviously giving up a lot of control. You don't get to pick who is at the table or where they sit. The theory is that fish will just come along and have a seat where ever they find one. Maybe they aren't as intimidated by there only being one or two players at the table I'm not really sure but I do know there is some truth to this.

Now once somebody comes along and has a seat suddenly you are off to a whole new game that you very well may not be familiar with. You are now Heads Up atleast for a hand or two and sometimes for quite awhile. So the purpose of starting this thread is to get some opinions on starting tables and also to start a good conversation in general about starting tables and hu play.

gogo

When looking to join tables that have a waiting list, don't bother if the waiting list is too long. I'm on Full Tilt where they introduced a new system where you can "wait for similar tables", but I don't use that. However, because of that system, I think the "Number of people waiting" numbers are slightly higher than normal, so my rule is to ignore tables that have a waitlist longer than 5 people. 3 or less is best. Once you join the table, it's a gamble as to where you get seated, but you'll know in 10-20 hands who the biggest fish are and if you're in a good spot. If you realize that the table is bad for your seat, leave.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Now you are obviously giving up a lot of control. You don't get to pick who is at the table or where they sit. The theory is that fish will just come along and have a seat where ever they find one.

Starting tables is awesome. It's not just a theory -- you'll get all kinds of crazy fish that come along and want to gamble HU.

You can also check to see if there are any tables with 2 players. If so, and you recognize one as a regular, try to sit down at the table with position on the other player. Chances are he's a fish!

Originally Posted by NightGizmo

You can also check to see if there are any tables with 2 players. If so, and you recognize one as a regular, try to sit down at the table with position on the other player. Chances are he's a fish!

regs hate you!

Originally Posted by daven

regs hate you!

Haha, good point -- don't do it to people you talk to off the tables!

Yeah defo don't forget to stand up and quickly take the seat left of the fish that sits with you(turn that tableninja autoseat off ;()

I think the most important aspect of table selection is not finding the tables in the first place, but leaving tables when they suck.

Originally Posted by d0zer

I think the most important aspect of table selection is not finding the tables in the first place, but leaving tables when they suck.

QFT

Originally Posted by NightGizmo

You can also check to see if there are any tables with 2 players. If so, and you recognize one as a regular, try to sit down at the table with position on the other player. Chances are he's a fish!

This is awesome I never thought of that!

Originally Posted by Imthenewfish

Yeah defo don't forget to stand up and quickly take the seat left of the fish that sits with you(turn that tableninja autoseat off ;()

Funny you should mention it. As soon as we ended our short little sweat session I disabled it.

Originally Posted by d0zer

I think the most important aspect of table selection is not finding the tables in the first place, but leaving tables when they suck.

This is huge. You should constantly be evaluating the tables and asking yourself do I have a reason to be here? Do I have an advantage at this table? Is there at least one fish here? If there isn't a reason to be there move on. I find myself moving off of tables much more than I used to and it's definitely +EV!

We all know what they say "If you can't identify the fish it may be because you're it!"

Originally Posted by d0zer

I think the most important aspect of table selection is not finding the tables in the first place, but leaving tables when they suck.

Leave that - that sucks.

SOLID.

Starting tables is great at 10NL FR since the wait lists usually have tons of people on them. Generally I don't bother joining a list that's >2 people because the table has usually changed by the time I get on it. HU vs some random fish you've no need to play a crazy aggro game, just adjust to exploit some of their spew and take them to value town.

d0zer's point is the nuts, shitty tables (relative to your stake) should be closed and new ones found.

Related discussion.

m2mgrind>keep the nits on your left
<m2mgrind>leave a table when oop vs a fish that doesnt fold
<m2mgrind>there, ur good to get to like 100nl now without changing anything
<Carrotz>Im not sure I totally agree with the leave table oop vs fish <Carrotz>like so so much potential value vs the fish
<Carrotz>oop or not
<m2mgrind>uhhh
<Carrotz>provided you arewnt gonna tilt and asplode
<m2mgrind>if ur playing 10nl
<m2mgrind>oop
<m2mgrind>vs some guy
<m2mgrind>who never folds
<m2mgrind>u cant open much
<m2mgrind>so leave
<Carrotz>meh
<m2mgrind>you would understand more if you tried short stacking
<Carrotz>you can still open a ton of brodways hands thatflop well etc etc
<m2mgrind>yeah
<m2mgrind>then c/f 60% of the time you miss
<Carrotz>thats fine
<m2mgrind>..<m2mgrind>if he just folds to cbets
<Carrotz>since youre gonna get lol value when you dont
<m2mgrind>ur ev is way higher
<Carrotz>yeah
<Carrotz>but if hes crazy ass and cant fold anything
<m2mgrind>its 10nl theres like 200 tables to choose from
<Carrotz>then youre gonna stack him very often
<Carrotz>and in no time make back the monies from when you c/f flops
<Carrotz>ok fair
<m2mgrind>if hes crazy it rlly sucks being oop
<Carrotz>if theres a better table ofc get it
<Carrotz>Im used to 100NLK
<m2mgrind>tho
<Carrotz>200s etc
<m2mgrind>its not terrible
<Carrotz>shitty tables etc
<m2mgrind>cuz u can just tighten up a ton
<Carrotz>yeah
<m2mgrind>and get paid
<Carrotz>I mean hes gonna be making so many mistakes vs your value range
<Carrotz>that its never gona be a BAD table

Originally Posted by daven

regs hate you!

I've been told to leave on numerous occasions when joining a 1 or 2-person table. It's not like I'm Tom Dwan for Christ's sake. I can't get any love.

Poker is about adjusting. I have learned so much by just playing different players heads up and noticing how the dynamic of the table changes between heads up and three/four handed play.

Sure if you are prone to tilt it may kill you but if you can't control 5nl you may never get to 400nl.